Audi's A4 to return to BTCC

Two Audi A4s have been entered into the 2011 BTCC by Rob Austin Racing

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The Audi A4 will race in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) for the first time in more than a decade from 2011.

Two Audi A4s will be entered in the BTCC by private race team Rob Austin Racing and they will be built to the championship's all-new Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) technical regulations.

Initial testing of the A4 racer, previewed in this official rendering, will begin in March, with the team hoping to confirm drivers in January. Austin is a British Formula Three race winner and believes "that the Audi will be a race winner".

NGTC regulations are designed to drastically reduce the running costs for teams competing in the BTCC, but with the cars offering equivalent performance to the current machinery. The Toyota Avensis is another car that will be built to NGTC regulations.

Series director Alan Gow said: "Rob Austin’s team will increase the number of manufacturers represented on our grid to nine. And, of course, the Audi name is synonymous with touring car racing so, while an independent entry, it will be terrific to see its badge return to our paddock.”

Audi won the BTCC in 1996 with an A4 driven by Frank Biela. It last raced in the championship in 1998.

[quote il sole]"the Audi will be a race winner" Has the man ever driven an A4???!!![/quote]

Not sure what that has got to do with anything. The winners of touring car titles usually goes to those with the biggest budgets and/or best drivers/engineers.

As examples look at how well the Vectra did in the BTCC a couple of years ago and conversley how the 3-Series has had its butt kicked in the WTCC for the last couple of years, firstly by the Seat Leon and this year by the Chevy Cruze.